ERIC Number: EJ895723
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: 32
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1529-1944
Accuracy of Health and Wellness Messages Provided by "ChaCha", the Mobile Answers Text Message Service
Bliss, Kadi; Lodyga, Marc; Bochantin, Shelley; Null, Dawn
International Electronic Journal of Health Education, v13 p49-58 2010
A relatively new mobile text message service, "ChaCha," describes itself as "a smart search engine powered by human intelligence." The service claims to provide high-quality, accurate information, yet there is no research published to date substantiating this claim. The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which health and wellness-related information disseminated by "ChaCha" is accurate and complete. The study consisted of texting 40 pre-determined health-related questions to "ChaCha," compiling answers, and analyzing answers for accuracy and completeness. Using a Likert-type rubric, accuracy was determined by comparing "ChaCha" responses to three of the most well-known and popular college health textbooks. Results indicated only 12.5% of "ChaCha" responses were rated accurate and complete, while 22.5 % of "ChaCha's" responses rated completely inaccurate/incomplete. In summary, while "ChaCha" provides a fast, efficient method to find answers, the accuracy and completeness of the answers is questionable and not consistent with evidence-based research. Translation to Health Education Practice: Health educators can use the results of this study to alert the public that "ChaCha" is not a reliable source for health and wellness-related information. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Information Dissemination, Scoring Rubrics, Health Education, Textbooks, Wellness, Search Engines, Telecommunications, Responses, Comparative Analysis, Internet
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. 1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 800-213-7193; Fax: 703-476-9527; e-mail: info@aahperd.org; Web site: http://www.aahperd.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: N/A

Peer reviewed
Direct link
